Basic Nursing Care and Patient Hygiene
Domain 2: Basic Nursing Care and Patient Hygiene
This section tests comfort, safety and dignity during bed making, bathing, oral care, positioning, elimination and pressure-injury prevention. Questions often ask the correct sequence or the unsafe action.
Core rules
- Hand hygiene before and after contact; explain the procedure, provide privacy and keep the patient covered except the part being washed.
- Bed bath water should be comfortably warm, about 43–46 °C, tested at the wrist; wash eyes from inner to outer corner and clean perineal area front to back.
- Reposition an immobile patient at least every two hours; inspect pressure points-sacrum, heels, hips, shoulders and ears-and keep skin clean and dry.
- Oral care for an unconscious patient: side-lying, suction ready, no water to swallow, clean mouth and dentures over a basin.
- Use bed rails, call bell and non-slip footwear; never leave a weak patient unsupported.
Worked example
A bedbound patient has a red, intact area over the sacrum that does not blanch. Reasoning: this is a stage 1 pressure injury. Relieve pressure, keep the area clean and dry, avoid massage, report and document; do not wait for skin breakdown.
Traps
Using very hot water; washing perineum back to front; massaging reddened bony areas; leaving the call bell out of reach; documenting care that was not given.